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Health | May 16, 2017

Kealy – Community praised for Wimmera Cancer Centre win

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has praised a successful community campaign which has ensured an additional $1.6 million for the Wimmera Cancer Centre project.

“It is disappointing that we had to launch an extensive community campaign and petition to make the Minister keep the promise she made to local cancer patients over a year ago,” Ms Kealy said.

“It’s been a long wait and this funding that should have been delivered months ago, causing unnecessary deep concern for local people.

“Thanks to the successful community campaign, the Wimmera Cancer Centre is now going to be a reality with the additional funding announced in today’s State Budget,” Ms Kealy said.

“This funding will now mean the Wimmera Cancer Centre is not at risk of being built as a staged project and will ensure that dialysis and palliative care services are included.

“I cannot express how deeply proud I am of our local communities who have campaigned, continued their fundraising efforts and for those who signed my petition to support the Wimmera Cancer Centre,” she said.

During a visit to the region in May 2016, Minister Hennessey looked local cancer patients in the eye while they were receiving treatment and promised funding if there was a fundraising shortfall.

Ms Kealy launched a petition holding the Minister for Health to account for her promise made to provide additional funding to make the Wimmera Cancer Centre a reality.

“The immense community support and local fundraising efforts for the Wimmera Cancer Centre project has been inspiring and every effort deserves to be congratulated,” Ms Kealy said.

“It is truly a credit to our local communities, who have demonstrated through their actions and generosity their strong support for this vital local project.

“Well done to everyone involved in supporting the Wimmera Cancer Centre. Our united local voice has made a real and meaningful difference to our great part of the State,” she said.